Bona Dea Update

In the afternoon of 03-23-11, Mr. Paul Ray and myself went to the Russellville, AR Golf Disc Course where the Illinois Bayou and Lake Dardanelle Converge. I had a few days earlier took a photo of a real pretty wildflower and we went back to check it out and to see other things. These are 2 photos of a Thalictrum thalictroides (Rue-anemone)-buttercup (wildflower family). We experimented with this equipment and then went over to Bona Dea for the rest of our photo trip. Paul took these photos shown here with his equipment and one was this Parrot's Feather-water plant-on Black Water Swamp. This is the green spidery plant with the top layer above water and the rest below. It shows a very pretty pattern. It was a day for the turtles with this photo showing a group of basking type turtles on a log in Black Water Swamp. And then he spied a Red-eared Slider Turtle on a log at the same pond. You can see why it is called Red-eared. In this same area a female Downy Woodpecker flew on a tree trunk and we shot it live. We noticed a male Canadian Goose right close to the trail in between Waldon Pond and Black Water Swamp. Then I remembered that its mate was setting on its nest on the island in Waldon Pond. So he was guarding the nest as he was watching people coming and going on the trail close by. Some of them with dogs etc. One of these photos looks like a painting as shot through dense vegetation. On same pond there was a pair of Gadwall ducks. Photo with the 2 small ducks together. The photo showing the numerous ducks together was shot in same pond with identification as follows from left to right: Male Northern Shoveler, Male Blue-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Male Northern Shoveler dabbing under water, 2 male Green-winged Teals together, female Greens behind duck dabbing, black American Coot, 2 male Northern Shovelers together(look at their shovel beaks), female Northern Shoveler and behind another black American Coot. this was really a variety of ducks all together at one place with the Gadwall's close by and the geese and probably some others around also. A surprise as most ducks have migrated out of the area or had mated in pairs and left the groups by now.

Holla Bend Wildlife Refuge Update

This is a departure from Bona Dea Park. But on 11-23-11 Mr. Paul Ray made a visit from Van Buren, AR to again make use of his camera equipment. Holla Bend was actually in a transition stage from Winter into Spring. The winter wildlife residents had moved out and the spring ones not yet arrived in force. We saw some very small yellow and black and blue and white butterflies that were fluttering around and being too skittish to photograph. We did get some shots of a Mourning Dove that flew in a tree. It was one of a pair that was apparently looking for a nesting place. This is the time of year for them to to this. Also we saw a Turkey Vulture on the ground. One shot shows it with its wings spread some from the body and the other looking around over its back. This was close to the observation tower on the refuge. A really big Red-tailed Hawk was flying low to the ground apparently looking for some poor critter to catch to eat. It would dive very low to the ground and then go up high into the air. It is noted that it was very warm and windy and sunny on this day. These are 2 shots of it close to the ground and up high in the air soaring like an eagle. We had looked for a pair of Whooping Cranes but did not see them. It also has been very dry and the pools and ponds on the property with either dry or very low.The officials at the refuge showed us where they were seen just recently. So after this visit we went to the Russellville Golf Disc course on Lake Dardanelle and then to Bona Dea Park.

Bona Dea Update

It's been a while since I have posted. Have been slow to get around so have been taking it easy. However I have managed to get around the park a few times in the past weeks. The latest thing is that there are some signs on Waldon Way and Swinging Bridge Trails that note that the authorities are trapping. Don't know what but presume it is Beavers. But I haven't seen any real new damage of the trees. I noticed that at the recent snow the a couple of weeks ago that someone had walked around the edges of Prairie Creek and Waldon Pond. Then a few days later the signs and markers went up. But I looked all around and could not find any traps or chains attached to trees and traps. Actually some of the markers are now gone. So don't know what is going on. I have some photos here of the snow that we had in this area on 02-09-11. These are from home and was around 8 inches. More than this around some parts of the state especially in the NW part of the state. However the last few weeks have been spring like and the trees and flowering shrubs and early flower bulbs have been doing their thing. Also the Canadian Geese have been thinking that enough winter is enough and have started feeling a little romantic. They have begun separating from the flocks and looking for their nesting places. Various woodpeckers birds have been coming in and the Turkey and Black Vultures have been flying in numbers around the park. The ducks are moving out on their migration routes. Not all as Wood ducks and a few others stay here in the spring and summer months. Also down on Prairie Creek I put out some cracked corn today and saw numerous raccoon tracks right in the spot where I feed. You can see at the tracks link the front and rear footprints. They look like human baby hands I think. I also jumped a pair of Redhead Ducks a few weeks back at this same area. Also the Double-crested Cormorants and Pied-bill Grebe ducks have been in Lake Dardanelle close to Bona Dea. These are also one of the earliest forms of wildlife to come around in the spring each year.

Bona Dea Update

On Tuesday the 25th. Mr. Paul Ray joined me at Bona Dea. He had his camera equipment and took some photos. The day started out cool and got warmer as time went on. This link will take you to more of the photos that were taken. They are dated 01-25-11 at the end of the album. We ran out of battery juice before we got through but out on Lake Dardanelle across from Bona Dea were a pair of Bufflehead ducks. These are not found that often around the park area. This photo shown at the link is exactly like the ones we saw on the lake. Also close to them was a Double-crested Cormorant spreading its wings as they often do. A photo here of me feeding the deer and birds and other critters on Prairie Creek.A closeup of a Great Blue Heron in flight as we scared it off and it scared us as we did not see it right away. Double click the photo and look at the sharp claws on this dude. The nest in a tree is a Barred Owl nest. That must be the nest of the owl I have been hearing every time of go to the area late in the evening. The small bird with the yellow streak on its head is a Golden-crowned Kinglet. This bird actually came to me when I was calling to it. It came within 2 or 3 feet several times. It is a very small bird and is very active. They are here just for the winter and will be leaving in the spring. We saw these ducks as we were walking along Beaver Trail and they were swimming in line following one after the other military style. Very small and compact with large heads. They are the black and white ducks. Notice their shadow in the water.There were several female Northern-shoveler ducks swimming together with no males in sight just ahead of the Ring Necks. Must be a female only meeting. They are the brownish ducks with orange legs. Also double click the photo to see the shovel looking beaks they have. They use it to dig in the mud. The ducks that are standing on the mud bar are Lesser Scaup ducks. They were just up stream from the pumping station. We also took photos of 3 different species of Sparrows: Field, Swamp and White-throated. Also Northern Cardinals and a Downy Woodpecker and some Eastern Chickadee birds. Photos shown at the link shown above. We had a good outing and saw some unusual wildlife. I was out at the park today , Friday the 28th., to feed the wildlife and while on the site a very big owl flew over and landed in a tree across the creek. Could not ID but it was not a smaller Barred Owl. It look more like a Great Horned Owl. Several flocks of what looked like Mallard Ducks flew in to Black Water Swamp about dark. A scary thing was that after nightfall I was walking on Serendipity Trail toward Waldon Way Trail and something in the woods close to the trail jumped and ran a short distance in the leaves and limbs on the ground. I believe it was a Raccoon by the way it moved and the sound of it.

Bona Dea and Sequoyah State Park Updates

Bona Dea has been very cold the last few weeks. There has been some snow and ice off and on and the creeks and ponds have ice on them all the time. I have been feeding the deer and doves and looks like some raccoons and other birds. Can tell by their tracks. Need to get a game camera and see what all comes around. I have been there after dark a lot of times and today, Friday, I saw walking along on a very cloudy and overcast night and pretty dark and heard what sounded like someone throwing a very big rock in the water by the trail. It did it again a little farther down. I figured it was a Beaver but did not see it. They flap their tails when trying to warn others of impending dangers. I heard this a few weeks back at the exact same place and swore that someone was on the other side and throwing rocks to scare me. Also the last few nights there has been a Barred Owl hooting, calling, for its mate. Also at exactly the same place. In fact, I heard the owl a couple of times and then the Beaver doing its thing. It was sorta scary. If it was Halloween, I would have probably took off to the moon. Also the Turkey Vultures have been swarming overhead just before dark going round and round and landing in various trees close to Waldon Way Trail. I took a photo shown here some time back of what they have been looking like. Hugh black buzzards with a bare red featherless head.The Canadian Geese are flying in flocks overhead and landing in Black Water Swamp for their nightly stay. Also several varieties of ducks doing the same. Where I feed the chopped corn, there are hugh roosts of Mourning Doves. They have a habit of drinking water just before roosting for the night and then roost compacted together in a cedar tree that has thick branches for winter weather protection. My friend Paul Ray went to Sequoyah State Park in Eastern Oklahoma USA last week and took some interesting photos. The ones I have posted here besides the roosting Turkey Vultures are his photos. One is of a Bald Eagle on its nest. Then a passing car scared it off and he took this photo of it in flight. Also a closeup of a Red-shouldered Hawk in a tree close by. Then an American Wigeon duck. The one with the green mark on the head in the water behind some weeds. And a Gadwal duck. The lone duck one the water with the black rump. Here is a link to see all the photos he sent me.

Bona Dea Snow Update

Today was a snowy day at Bona Dea. It started snowing yesterday afternoon and continued for 24 hours off and on. It only snowed a little over 2 inches for that duration. But it covered the ground pretty good. Here, you can view photos of the snow there taken last year and today. I have included a few here with this post. Someone made and small snowman on a sawed tree trunk. I got to it late and used a flash for enough light and it looks like a snow ghost don't you think? For some reason the Herring Sea Gulls were flying all over the park and town yesterday and today. They must like the snow or were looking for food anywhere.

Bona Dea and Holla Bend Refuges Updates

I have some new photos taken at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge near Dardanelle, Arkansas which is about 12 miles from Bona Dea. Paul Ray came by for another visit and we took his camera equipment to Holla Bend. Here is a link to that photo album: However I have shown here a photo of a American White Pelican closeup of its opening its very big beak used to eat very big fish. Also a closeup of a young Bald Eagle. The one with the white head and a closeup of a Red Tail Hawk that is sitting in a small tree. We went to Bona Dea also on last Tuesday and I got this first ever photo for me of a Gadwal duck in a private pond right next to one of the trails at Bona Dea. Today, I went to feed the deer and doves at the park and I scared off a Green-winged Teal duck. Did not have my camera but here is 2 links for info. on them. Also today, Friday, there were several flocks of both Black and Turkey Vultures flying overhead. More than I have seen in some time. It had rained over 2 inches the other day and the creeds and ponds were looking a little better. I fed the fish at the Spillway for the first time in a long time. They seemed to be too cold to care much about eating. A lot of people out in the cold weather the last few weeks running or riding bikes or just walking about. The Canadian Geese and Mallard Ducks are plentiful this year at the park. The geese come in from the open waters to spend the night at the park and they come in dozens at a time at nightfall. Different varieties of ducks do the same.